Watford chairman resigns amid financial investigation

Raffaele Riva has resigned as chairman of Premier League club Watford amid an ongoing investigation into a ‘forged’ bank letter supposedly provided to the Football League in 2014.

The Hornets have completed their own investigation into the matter, originally brought to light last week, and have submitted all relevant documents to the EFL.

The club were said to have supplied false financial documents – notably a ‘forged’ HSBC bank letter – in 2014, which claimed Gino Pozzo had the funds to take control of the club from father Giampaolo.

The current owner insists there was nothing untoward regarding his conduct, with a statement published on the club’s official website reading: “We can assure every supporter the club acted with honesty, integrity and in good faith at every step and is not guilty of any wrongdoing and we are sure this will ultimately be recognised.

“We share your pride at the progress the club has made over the past four years and we will not allow its name to be tarnished by the incident brought to light last week.”

Chief executive Scott Duxbury has been appointed Executive Chairman with immediate effect, replacing the departed Riva.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now